Owing to the public policy effective June 26, 2024 pursuant to section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), will allow eligible foreign nationals who hold an employment offer, a valid work permit or held a valid work permit which has expired as of May 7th and a support letter from the province or territory they reside in, outlining their placement in an Expression of Interest pool or other application inventory process following an initial assessment of the candidate by the province/territory, to be issued an open work permit. Manitoba has announced its support for which details are as below.

As of September 18, 2024, Manitoba Immigration Pathways has officially launched the temporary public policy to facilitate work permits for prospective candidates under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This policy aims to provide support for eligible individuals whose work permits are expiring or have expired in 2024, enabling them to apply for a two-year Manitoba-specific work permit extension.

This temporary public policy is effective immediately and will remain in place until December 31, 2024. It offers a critical opportunity for those facing potential gaps in employment authorization, giving them the ability to continue working in Manitoba while their permanent residency applications are processed.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for consideration under this temporary public policy, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

Current or Expired Work Permits:

Candidates holding valid work permits that will expire in 2024, or

Those who held work permits that were valid on May 7, 2024, but have since expired and have applied for either:

A new work permit (under section 200 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations), or

An extension to remain in Canada as a temporary resident (under section 181), or

Restoration of their temporary resident status (under section 182).

Pending or Approved Applications:

Candidates who were authorized to work on May 7, 2024, under paragraph 186 (u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and have a pending or approved work permit extension and have submitted an application under the regulations listed above.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

In addition to the specific work permit scenarios outlined, all candidates must also meet the following conditions:

MPNP Expression of Interest: They must have had a valid MPNP Expression of Interest profile on May 10, 2024, and maintain a valid profile at the time of applying for this temporary policy.

Residency: Candidates must have been residing in Manitoba prior to May 10, 2024, and have continuously remained in the province.

Employment in Manitoba: They must be currently employed in Manitoba, with a Manitoba employer willing to provide a letter of employment. For those who have applied for restoration of their temporary resident status, they must present a valid job offer from their Manitoba employer.

How to Apply

Eligible individuals can apply for a Support Letter from Manitoba starting September 18, 2024. A completed online submission form is required along with the following documents:

Letter of Employment from the current Manitoba employer

Proof of Authorization to Work, such as a current work permit or proof of work permit validity as of May 7, 2024, and proof of the application for restoration of temporary resident status (if applicable).

Prioritization of Applications

Manitoba will give priority to candidates whose work permits have already expired or are set to expire within the next 45 days. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue to accept applications under this temporary policy until December 31, 2024.

Eligible candidates can submit their applications for a Support Letter online via the official Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program website here.

This policy is a crucial lifeline for workers navigating the Provincial Nominee Program pathway, ensuring they can remain employed while continuing to build their futures in Manitoba.

For further help in the processing of your MPNP application please contact us! and subscribe for latest news.